What Is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a safe, mild sedative that has been used in dentistry for over a century. When inhaled through a small mask that fits over your child's nose, it creates feelings of relaxation and well-being while reducing anxiety and sensitivity to discomfort.
Children remain fully conscious during nitrous oxide sedation. They can hear, respond to questions, and follow instructions. Many children describe feeling floaty, warm, or giggly, which is why it's commonly called laughing gas.
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide offers several advantages for pediatric dental care. It takes effect within minutes and wears off just as quickly once the mask is removed. There are no lingering effects, so your child can return to normal activities immediately after their appointment.
The level of sedation is easily adjustable throughout the procedure. If your child needs more relaxation, we can increase the concentration. If they feel too drowsy, we can reduce it.
This precise control makes nitrous oxide one of the safest sedation options available.
When We Recommend Nitrous Oxide
Our Pickering pediatric dentists may recommend nitrous oxide for children with mild to moderate dental anxiety, those who have difficulty sitting still for longer procedures, children with a strong gag reflex, and young patients who need help relaxing during treatment.
Nitrous oxide works well for routine fillings, sealant applications, and other straightforward procedures. For children with more significant anxiety or those needing extensive treatment, we may recommend conscious sedation or sleep dentistry instead.
What to Expect
Before using nitrous oxide, we review your child's medical history to ensure it's appropriate for them. Certain respiratory conditions may affect eligibility.
During the appointment, a small mask is placed over your child's nose. They breathe normally, and within a few minutes, they'll feel relaxed. We adjust the mixture as needed throughout the procedure to maintain optimal comfort.
When treatment is complete, we switch to one hundred percent oxygen for a few minutes to clear the nitrous oxide from your child's system. They'll feel completely normal within five to ten minutes and can eat, play, and return to school immediately.
Families from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and throughout Durham Region choose Hi Five Kids Dental & Braces for compassionate care that helps anxious children feel comfortable during dental treatment.
